Blind Racoon Nola Blue Collection Volume 3 - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Volume 3 from Blind Racoon Nola Blue Collection and it's chocked full of tasty tracks. Opening with Time To Forget You, from Willie Bo Walker and Danny Flam, a slow paced blues track with screaming slide and fat horns is always a great start. John Nemeth's contribution, I Can See Your Love Shine, has a cool modified reggae beat with some tasty guitar and harp work with a poppy feel. Clarence Spady's, Surrender is a warm, slow blues with cool, soulful vocals, tight, nicely phrased guitar riffs and crystal clear piano. Laura Tate's I Need A Man, features solid vocals and with punchy horns and snappy drums, and really nice piano work, commands attention. CD Woodbury performs classic, Can't Eat That Stuff No More, with plenty of humor and spunk. Dudley Taft blends blues and rock for The End Of The Blues, with his own stylistic boogie rock and rock guitar styling. Rocker, Memphis Hotline, is Brigitte Purdy's contribution  with plenty of spunk and a driving pace. Acoustic blues, Riverbend Blues is a strong entry with strong vocals and resonator guitar work by Eric Johanson. Mildly funky Red Walls, by Miss Bix, featuring Keeshea Pratt is one of my favorites on the release with real nice vocals and strong blues guitar work. Lisa Mann's It's the Monkeys or Me is a cool blend of country and blues by Lisa Mann. Her vocals are terrific and the guitar work is tight and ripping. Boogie rocker, Pretty Kitty is a strong entry by Paul Boddy & the Slidewinder Blues Band. With it's call and response between lead vocal and guitar and the sailing harmonica, it's hard not to like. Harmonica blues, Blow Fish Blow! is a cool guitar/piano instrumental featuring Elena Keto and Hiroshi Eguchi. Wrapping the release is Skylar Rogers and Back To Memphis. With it's classic bass line and power vocal lead, supported by clean electric guitar riffs, this is a solid closer for NOLA Blue. 

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Screen Door Records artist: Kirsten Thien - Two Sides - New Release Review

 

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Two Sides, from Kirsten Thien, and it's a solid rocker. Opening with heavy footed, Shoulda Been, a blues rocker with Thien on vocal and acoustic guitar, Erik Boyd on cool slide bass and rhythm guitar, Arthur Neilson with a nice slide guitar solo, Steve Holley on drums and Tommy Mandel on clavinet. Solid opener. Contemporary blues shout, After I Left Home (Song For Buddy Guy) Thien shows the power of her voice and Neilson lays down a strong guitar solo. Latin flavored Montanas is my favorite track on the release, featuring Fabian Almazan on piano, John Benthal on cuatro and requinto, Boyd on bass and Alex Alexander on drums and percussion. Excellent! Wrapping the release is an up tempo take on Leon Russell's, I'd Rather Be Blind, with a cool R&B feel. Steve Holley on drums plays it light, Neilson lays in a compact but clean guitar solo and the addition of Tommy Mandel on Wurlitzer and organ makes this a strong closer.

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Screen Door Records artist: Magnus Berg - Cut Me Loose - New Release Review

I just received the newest release, Cut Me Loose, from Magnus Berg and I really like it! Opening with title track, Cut Me Loose, Berg takes command on vocal and guitar showing a maturity beyond his age. Joined by Bjorn Tore "Daffy" Larsen on harp, Havard Sunde on drums and Roy Oscar Pettersen on bass. This is rock solid! On One Way To Please You, Berg slips into Chicago style and Daffy really hits the harp. Blues riffs with a twist of country, flash from the fretboard of Berg and these guys cook! Very nice! On Texas style loper, Drifting, Berg has commanding lead vocals and sets the rhythm riff and Daffy punctuates nicely on harp. Berg takes center stage again laying down a nice helping of Texas style blues rock guitar. Very cool! When You Leave Me is a understated blues in the style of SBW with well placed guitar tones and some of the best vocal work on the release. Berg plays some really nice slide work on this track with Kristian Koppang on keys making it one of my favorite tracks on the release. Laid back, Kansas City, gives you a shot of Berg and crew taking a leisurely ride in the blues. Smart guitar lead by Berg and nice key work from Koppang highlight the track. On Freddie King's San-Ho-Say, Berg really gets great tone from his tele and snappy surf rhythm from Ola Overby on drums give Daffy plenty of room to lay down some hot harp riffs as well. Kirsten Thien takes lead vocal on When It's Gone, a quiet ballad with slick slide work by Berg and additional acoustic guitar, accordion and bass from Erik Boyd. A great take on Willie Dixon's Hoochie Coochie Man is another of my favorite tracks on this release. A slinky blues number with really fat slide work and great tone, sets a particularly cool groove. Daffy and Koppang trade cool lead lines nicely complimenting Berg who really blows the doors off on this track. Excellent! On Boogie track, St. Pete Boogie, it's Pettersen and Sunde who make the groove. Berg has a special voice and it is perfect for this track. Daffy rides the groove with certainty and Berg steps up once again showing that he knows what to do on guitar. Smokin! Wrapping the release is One Too Many with it's great walking bass line. Berg opens with vocal and Daffy takes the first solo on harp. Berg steps up one last time with his tele and lets it do his talking. He has great feel and phrasing making this a super capper for a super release!  

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News from Buddy Guy, Kirsten Thien, Marshall Lawrence, The CD Woodbury Band and mor

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LEGENDARY BLUESMAN BUDDY GUY TO RELEASE NEW ALBUM "RHYTHM & BLUES" ON JULY 30  PRE-ORDER AT ONLINE RETAILERS JUNE 25 DOUBLE-DISC FEATURES KID ROCK, KEITH URBAN, GARY CLARK, JR., BETH HART AND AEROSMITH MEMBERS STEVEN TYLER, JOE PERRY AND BRAD WHITFORD   Buddy's Website Buddy's Facebook Six-time Grammy Award winner and 2012 Kennedy Center Honoree Buddy Guy will release his new studio album "Rhythm & Blues" on July 30 on RCA Records. The follow-up to his 2010 Grammy Award winning album Living Proof, this double-disc masterpiece features first time studio collaborations with A-list artists Kid Rock, Keith Urban, Gary Clark, Jr., Beth Hart and Aerosmith members Steven Tyler, Joe Perry and Brad Whitford. Rhythm & Blues will be available for pre-order at all online retailers on June 25. Produced by Grammy Award winning producer/songwriter and longtime collaborator Tom Hambridge (Skin Deep, Living Proof), "Rhythm & Blues" captures the 76 year-young Guy at the peak of his creativity. Replete with heartfelt vocals, straightforward lyrics and mesmerizing guitar licks, "Rhythm & Blues" not only exemplifies how blues continues to be the foundation of all genres of today’s music, but it also illustrates why Guy has been influential in the careers of Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Jeff Beck, Stevie Ray Vaughan and many more. The Rhythm disc includes rhythm and blues-style blues with deep grooves, such as the Junior Wells’ 1960 hit “Messin With The Kid” featuring Kid Rock, the touching “One Day Away” with Keith Urban, and “What You’re Gonna Do About Me,” a rousing duet with Beth Hart. Guy rounds out the disc with “Best In Town,” “Whiskey Ghost,” Guitar Slim’s “Well I Done Got Over It” and more. The Blues disc taps into the genre’s rich history with “Meet Me In Chicago,” “I Could Die Happy,” “Never Gonna Change” and “All That Makes Me Happy Is The Blues.” Aerosmith’s Tyler, Perry and Whitford contribute to the musical lesson with “Evil Twin” while Gary Clark, Jr. joins Guy on “Blues Don’t Care.” In a career that spans nearly 50 years with over 50 albums released, the incomparable Buddy Guy recently added the prestigious Kennedy Center Honors and NARM Chairman’s Award for Sustained Creative Achievement to his long list of achievements. Guy is the recipient of 30 awards and accolades, including 6 Grammy Awards, 28 Blues Music Awards, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction, the first annual Great Performer of Illinois Award, a Billboard Music Awards’ Century Award for distinguished artistic achievement, the Presidential National Medal of Arts, in addition to being listed as one of the 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time by Rolling Stone.   “KIRSTEN THIEN SOLO LIVE!” TOUR HITS VENERABLE BLUES VENUES ACROSS USA Website Facebook In support of her new release "Solo Live from the Meisenfrei Blues Club," Kirsten Thien will undertake a “Solo Live!” tour this July, stopping at venerable blues venues across the Midwest, Texas, and Southeast. From local honky tonks to the festival stage, Thien will hit the road as a contemporary “Wild Woman” of the blues, her Taylor acoustic guitar in hand, bringing the magic and intimacy captured in front of a German audience on "Solo Live" back to the heartland of the USA. As with new album, Thien’s sets will go deep into her own blues, soul and rock 'n' roll catalog (drawing from the best of"Delicious"and "You've Got Me"), and will also branch out into engaging covers of songs originally done by Sheryl Crow, Bob Dylan, Sippie Wallace, Elvin Bishop, Bill Withers, B.B. King and Freddie King.   DATES Tue, July 16 Indianapolis, IN The Slippery Noodle Wed, July 17 Springfield, MO Nathan P. Murphy’s Thurs, July 18 Kansas City, MO Knucklehead’s Saloon Sat, July 20 Tulsa, OK Charity Event Tue, July 23 San Angelo, TX Sealy Flats (Eddie Turner headlines) Wed, July 24 San Angelo, TX Sealy Flats (Eddie Turner headlines) Sat, July 27 Midland Texas Tall City Blues Fest (KT Trio feat. Eddie Turner) Thurs, Aug 1 Montgomery, AL Capitol Oyster Bar Sat, Aug 3 Kitty Hawk, NC Outerbanks Brewing Station Sun, Aug 4 Manteo, NC Poor Richard’s on the Dock Thien’s unlikely path from a Georgetown University Business School graduate to a Blues and Roots Rock singer/songwriter began when just weeks before graduation when she decided to forgo a life on Wall Street for a career in music. Since then she has released four full-length albums, toured the East Coast extensively, opened for (among others) Dickey Betts, Shawn Colvin and Buddy Guy, and made two headline tours of Europe/UK. Her album "Delicious" received much acclaim and worldwide radio airplay, debuting at #11 on the USA Blues Radio Charts and climbing to #2 on B.B. King’s Bluesville’s new music charts. The record also includes two tracks featuring Blues guitar legend Hubert Sumlin. Thien’s studio albums and the new "Solo Live" highlight Thien’s award-winning songwriting talent, impressive voice, and abilty to command a room or a stage with a unique and honest presence. “If you think she is impressive on her full band recordings, this solo set will blow you away as she’s unafraid to expose raw nerves to deliver the goods.” Chris Spector, Midwest Record   “Every track becomes a mini book and a look into her soul exposing every emotion possible. Put it this way, l just love this album.” Peter Merrett, PBS, Melbourne, Australia    “This fire-haired songwriter’s voice strikes a perfect balance between the precise but homey crooning of Bonnie Raitt and the sheer incendiary power of Janis Joplin.... "Delicious" will have you asking for seconds.” Stephen Fortner, Keyboard While comparisons abound, from Keb 'Mo' to Sheryl Crow, Thien has carved out her own unique contemporary blues/pop sound that travels the highway between 1955 Chicago, 1969 Memphis, and present-day New York City (Thien's current home in the space-time continuum).    Marshall Lawrence ~ House Call Website Facebook On The Music Couch Tonight with Vinny Marini @ 9 p.m. CST Marshall Lawrence has been very busy performing and promoting his new CD “House Call” since releasing it in May.  It sure has been a whirlwind of activity for this Neo-Delta Blues & Roots musician.  Marshall’s Blues Army continues to grow with every performance as audiences experience his conviction and respect for the past, present and future of acoustic blues and roots music.    Marshall has also begun writing tunes for a new project that is sure to please. He continues to explore and push the boundaries of acoustic blues and roots music.  Although “House Call” has only been released a short time ago it has steadily been garnering wide critical acclaim from reviewers, DJs and fans.  Here are some highlights: "5***** for "House Call"... I highly doubt there will be a better Acoustic Blues Album released in Canada for 2013."  John Vermilyea, Blues Underground Network “…One of the best acoustic blues-albums of 2013 (House Call)." Nathan Norgell, Wasser-Prawda Magazine “…As good as his previous release was, Marshall Lawrence surpasses it with House Call, giving the Delta Blues a fresh original spin.” Graham Clarke, Blues Bytes “…Mixing smart chops with found music edginess .... Lawrence knows how to reach those who like their music coloring outside the lines." Chris Spector, Midwest Record “Marshall Lawrence is the real deal and House Call is one fine piece of work.”  Bill Wilson, Billtown Blues Association “…Lawrence gets it.  He knows how to play the blues…. His voice is pleasant, his guitar work grooves, and his stories communicate the blues.  This is a nice acoustic set that deserves to be enjoyed.” Nik Rodewald, BluesRockReview.com Review   Lawrence's kinetic fretwork, his highly original songwriting, and his fresh interpretations of classic blues tunes really stand out… Lawrence's original tunes are uniformly excellent and his delivery, both on guitar and singing is very entertaining…If you're a fan of acoustic blues, you'll like this one. If you're not a fan, you will be after you listen…” Graham Clarke, Friday Blues Fix The CD Woodbury Band ~ Monday Night! Website Facebook #1 Roots Music Report Washington State Chart June 14 Debuted at #27 On RMR's Blues Chart June 14 The guys would like to thank everyone for their support of  the band and the new release. In the past couple of weeks Amazon MP3 download tracking has verified your support - Top ten in overall Electric Blues Guitar, Top 20 in Modern Blues, Top 100 in Blues, Top 25 in Hot New Releases: Blues, Top 10 Hot New Releases: Modern Blues, and #1 Hot New Releases: Electric Blues Guitar.   Here are a couple of reviews to whet your appetite:   "CD Woodbury genre-surfed before committing to the roots blues style that is a really good way for his voice to play nice with backing instrumentation. The CD Woodbury Band plug blues into caffeine-stoked chord changes and make a great appearance with the results on Monday Night. Though independent musicians continue the bloodlines of music as the Pop machine declares what is, their road is not always smooth. Those fine looking musicians you see on stage, the ones that put your life into a forty-minute set and story lines that make you feel good about your decisions, well, they are people too. “Pawn Shop” slows it blues to an appropriate level for the subject matter, but amps up the riffs to make sure it has your attention. Mr. Woodbury is making a trip to hock his Gibson, pennies on the dollar. Real life is a non-sing-a-long bitch. Can I get a hallelujah that we can hear about it in song?" The Alternate Root   "A rocking album, full of burning guitar, tasteful keyboards, soulful sax, and great tunes, Monday Night! is a solid debut for the CD Woodbury Band.  Full of rocking swing-revival, classic Texas shuffles, seasoned with hints of R&B and jazz, the album features a band that can downright play. The album kicks off with “These Blues Keep Me Right Here,” a classic shuffle.  “Pawn Shop” is a slow blues featuring screaming guitar and tasteful piano.  “Burn the Bridge” is a funk-inspired tune with a tasty guitar ostinato and soulful B3.  “SauBall Blues” features some nice brush work from drummer Don Montana and an outstanding sax solo by Mike Marinig.  It is the best tune on the album. While Woodbury’s guitar is impressive, Chris Kliemann’s tickling of the ivories warrants special attention.  His solos are tasteful, his comping excellent.  The band has yet another outstanding soloist in Mike Marinig, whose saxophone technique and vocabulary is impressive, and his musicianship excellent.  Marinig also doubles on lead vocals.  Marinig is a strong lead singer, with a gutsy voice and just the right amount of grime for a band paying homage to the roots of the blues. The album is well worth a listen.  Not only is the playing and production quite good, but the style is unique.  Of course, the band draws heavily on more traditional blues influences, but their sound is not old-fashioned.  Quite the contrary, they are a new and unique addition to the blues tradition." BluesRockReview.com Review North Mississippi Hill Country Picnic June 28 - 29, 2013 Hwy 7, Betty Davis BBQ, Waterford, MS Website Friend & Client, Ian Siegal, On The Bill 2012 & 2013 Blues Music Award Contemporary Blues Album Nominee Ian's Website Tommy Z Joins The Blind Raccoon Family Grand Marquis Are Back In The Fold! Tommy Z ~ Sometimes Website Facebook Video Grand Marquis ~ Blues And Trouble Website Facebook

Screen Door Records artist: Kirsten Thien - Solo Live From The Meisenfrei Blues Club - New Release Review

I just received the newest release (June 4, 2013), Solo Live From The Meisenfrei Blues Club, by Kirsten Thien. Thien, a Georgetown University Business School grad turned singer has put together a solid 15 track solo album where she expresses herself nicely vocally and accompanies herself on acoustic guitar. One of my favorites on this release, Ain't That The Truth is a clean acoustic folk blues track written by Thien. The release is consistently good including tracks by Ida Cox (Wild Women Don't Have The Blues), Dylan(It Takes A Lot To Laugh, It Takes A Train To Cry), Sheryl Crow (Leaving Las Vegas), Sippie Wallace (Women Be Wise)another of my favorites on the release; Elvin Bishop (Fooled Around And Fell In Love), Leon Russell (I'd Rather be Blind), Bill Withers (Ain't No Sunshine)and Roy Hawkins and Rick Darnell (The Thrill Is Gone). A relatively sedate folk blues recording, Thien really uses the stage to showcase her voice nicely. There aren't any screaming guitars, and there's no harmonica, but it is blues in a nice polished vocal package ready to be enjoyed.  

If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

 

New Releases From David Egan, Kirsten Thien, Too Slim and the Taildraggers, and RB Stone

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DAVID EGAN ~ DAVID EGAN Website Facebook Purchase & Listen "This cat looks like a cross between Dave Van Ronk and R. Crumb. He sings, plays and writes like Mose Allison in his prime and it feels unintentional, like it was something in the water as opposed to a mannered copy. He’s got loads of high tone songwriting credits but has chosen to pound the ivories in Shreveport roadhouses, not even bothering to kick it out in Nawlins. One of those heaviest-cats-you-never-heard-of kind of cats, this disc is a non-stop, no fat, great time. Easily as Americana as The Band, this set might color outside the lines but it isn’t outsider music. Killer stuff from start to finish, it’s time for this legend to take root." Midwest Record KIRSTEN THIEN ~ SOLO LIVE FROM THE MEISENFREI BLUES CLUB Website Facebook Purchase & Listen Video From The Show "A snapshot. A moment in time. A work in progress. Alchemy. Intended, not planned. Imperfections I can live with and learn from. Circumstances that brought me here. Love that carried me through. Friendship fostered by music. Music fostered by friendship. A room full of willing souls. These are the elements that make up this record. A snapshot." Kirsten Thien TOO SLIM AND THE TAILDRAGGERS ~ BLUE HEART Website Facebook Purchase Listen to "Wash My Hands" "If it is possible to be a natural- born guitarist, Langford fits the description." Vintage Guitar RB STONE ~ LOOSEN UP! Website Facebook Purchase & Listen "RB Stone lives in his own kick-ass roadhouse, where the songs rock you from side to side and the words bite back at you. This is the true originality of a renegade spirit." Michael Kinsman

P.O. Box 40045, Memphis, TN 38174 | 901.278.6850 www.blindraccoon.com | betsie@blindraccoon.com

Delicious - Kirsten Thien New release review

Just got in the new Kirsten Thien recording and have had the chance to listen to it a few times. The cd is extremely vocal oriented and appears to be designed for radio play. There are some cool riffs and some good grooves along with a dash of horns. Overall a pleasing pop recording with a blues twist.